Why Silver Tarnishes in Summer (and How to Fix It Fast)

If your jewellery is looking a little duller than you remember, you're probably not imagining it — and you haven't done anything wrong. Silver tarnishes faster in the heat, and June through August is exactly when we get the most queries about it.

The good news: it's almost always easy to put right, and it's rarely a sign that your piece has been damaged.

Why Silver Tarnishes Faster in Summer Heat

Tarnish is a natural reaction between a metal's surface and substances that it comes into contact with — moisture, sulphur in the air, and certain chemicals all speed it up. In summer, we're layering on several of those triggers at once: warmer skin means more sweat and natural oils against the silver, sun cream or moisturiser sits on its surface for hours at a time, and a dip in the sea or a chlorinated pool introduces salt and chemicals your jewellery rarely meets the rest of the year. Add in perfume and higher humidity, and summer is simply the season where silver has to work hardest to sparkle.

None of this means anything has gone wrong with your jewellery.

It's also worth saying: tarnish sits on the surface only. It doesn't affect the integrity of the handprint, fingerprint, or engraving — that detail is there for good, however dull the surface gets in the meantime.

Tarnish Is the Trade-Off for Owning the Real Thing

Every silver piece we make is solid sterling silver — never plated, and never a cheaper alloy dressed up to look like the real thing. That matters, because tarnish is simply what genuine, valuable precious metal does over time. Metal that never tarnishes at all is very rarely real silver: a lot of "tarnish-proof" personalised jewellery on the market gets there by using a cheaper base metal or a synthetic coating instead, not by being a more durable silver.

So if you notice a little tarnish, take it as a quiet sign you bought the real thing. The small bit of extra care it asks for now and then is the trade-off for owning something genuinely precious — not a flaw, and nothing to feel caught out by.

How to Bring the Shine Back: Step by Step

For light tarnish

The easiest and safest method is to use a a soft, lint-free cloth, or specialist silver polishing cloth if you have one. (We recommend Town Talk Polishing Cloths).

• Gently rub the silver using straight back-and-forth strokes.
• Take a little extra care around engraved areas.
• Buff with a clean, soft cloth to restore the shine.

This is usually all that’s needed to bring your keepsake back to life, with no risk to your engraving.

For heavier tarnish

If your jewellery has become more heavily tarnished, use a specialist sterling silver cleaning solution.

1. Apply a small amount with a soft cloth.
2. Gently clean around the engraving.
3. If needed, use a very soft toothbrush to reach inside engraved details.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
5. Dry immediately with a soft cloth.
6. Finish with a silver polishing cloth for a beautiful shine.

What Should You Avoid?

To help protect your keepsake, we recommend avoiding:

• Toothpaste (it’s more abrasive than many people realise)
• Baking soda pastes
• Scouring pads or abrasive cleaners
• Harsh chemicals

These can leave tiny scratches or dull the polished finish.

Still not budging, or not sure? Ask us before trying anything stronger. Keepsakes are important pieces, and we are always happy to help recommend the best solution. 

Keeping It Looking Its Best for the Rest of Summer

• Take it off before swimming, sunbathing, or a heavy gym session — five seconds to remove it is far easier than an hour spent cleaning it afterwards.

• Put on suncream and perfume before you put your jewellery on, not after, and give them a few minutes to sink in first.

• Store it in the original Bella & Bow jewellery box, an airtight pouch or sealed bag when you're not wearing it, away from direct sunlight and humidity. A bathroom shelf is one of the worst spots in the house for it in summer.

• After wearing, always let it dry completely before you put it away. Storing it while even slightly damp recreates the exact conditions that caused the tarnish in the first place. Giving it a quick polish with a soft cloth each time is a great way to keep tarnish at bay. 

Quick Questions, Answered

Does tarnish mean my keepsake has been damaged?

No. Tarnish is a surface reaction, not damage — it sits on top of the metal and doesn't damage the handprint, fingerprint, or engraving underneath. A regular gentle clean restores the shine, and the detail you treasure should be exactly as it was the day it arrived.

Why doesn't Bella and Bow make tarnish-proof necklaces?

Because "tarnish-proof" almost always means the metal isn't real silver. Genuine sterling silver will tarnish a little over time — that's simply what a real precious metal does. We'd rather give you something authentic that needs the occasional gentle clean than something that never tarnishes because it was never really silver.

We do sell some keepsakes that are made from high quality stainless steel, which won't tarnish. We use this metal in items such a keyrings & cufflinks and some of our leather bracelets. 

Can I wear my keepsake to the beach or pool this summer?

You can, but it's worth taking it off first if you're able to. Salt water, chlorine, and sun cream all speed up tarnish, and the few seconds it takes to remove it before you swim is far easier than a longer clean afterwards.

What's the best way to store it during summer?

Somewhere cool, dry, and dark — your original Bella & Bow jewellery box is perfect, or an airtight pouch or sealed bag works well. Avoid bathroom shelves or anywhere humid, since moisture in the air is one of the biggest causes of tarnish building up between wears. Also, avoid storing your keepsake with other silver jewellery, as this can also increase the speed of tarnish.

However it happens, a little tarnish is never the end of the story for a keepsake — just a sign it's genuine solid sterling silver, lived in, loved, and enjoyed through a proper summer.